Arrowhead plants can make the perfect addition to anyone’s house plant collection with their uniquely shaped bright foliage. They have simple maintenance needs and come in a variety of colors, including white, green, and beautiful pink. What’s not to love? Luckily, you can easily multiply this beauty by propagating Arrowhead plants!
These plants originate from South and Central America, making them tropical plants. With the propagation of Arrowhead plants, you can soon have your own tropical paradise inside your home. Keep reading to learn how to start the propagation process and create little plants within a few weeks!
Needed Supplies for Propagating Arrowhead Plants
Here are some materials you’ll need to get started on the process of propagating Arrowhead plants. You might already have these things if you’re an avid gardener or houseplant owner!
Planter Pots or Jars
Once you gather your stem cuttings, you’ll need a place to put them. The best containers to use are planter pots, as they have drainage holes to get rid of excess water. These pots will hold your soil and stem cuttings comfortably and allow plenty of room for your new plants to grow.
If you choose not to use the potting method, you can try out water propagation. For this method, you’ll need clear jars. These will allow you to view the cleanliness of the water and assess root growth.
Potting Soil
The potting method for propagating Arrowhead plants will require you to get some potting soil. Don’t go into your backyard and grab some dirt from your flower beds or the woods. Arrowhead plants have different needs than outdoor plants due to their tropical nature. So, using tropical potting soil is best.
Rooting Medium
With almost any plant propagation, you will need a rooting medium. These powder mediums will increase the growth rate and provide better odds of healthy root growth. The only time you don’t need it is if you choose to do water propagation. There’s no need for it with this method because it will immediately rinse off when the plant hits the water.
Pruning Shears
Another essential item you’ll need when propagating Arrowhead plants is a pair of pruning shears. You’ll need a clean cut when choosing your stemmed sections. A mangled or ripped stem can prevent proper nutrient and water uptake during the growing process.
How to Propagate Arrowhead Plants
Once you have all of your materials ready, you can start propagating! Follow these steps to create healthy, beautiful Arrowhead plants from a parent plant.
1. Cut a Stemmed Section
The first thing you must do when propagating Arrowhead plants is gather some stemmed sections. You’ll need to look around your plant and find a healthy area to collect from.
When you find the perfect spot, you’ll need to ensure that your stemmed section has 1-2 leaves on it. Arrowhead plants are vining plants, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Then you can proceed to look for the next node below the leaves. A node is an area where the plant branches off into other sections from the main stem.
When you find the node that’s below your leaves, you can make a 45º angled cut right below it. The angled slice is vital, as it provides more surface area for root growth and water and nutrient uptake.
Continue this cutting process until you have your desired amount of sections. Each stemmed section will be a new plant in the future.
2. Plant the Stem or Place it in Water
After you gather your Arrowhead plant sections, it’s time to either plant them or put them in water.
If you propagate Arrowhead plants with the potting method, it’s time to get your pots and soil out. Simply fill your planters with soil and spray some water on the soil for moisture. You want all the moisture you can get since this type of plant likes humid climates. From here, you can make a small hole in the soil for your stem. But don’t plant it immediately! You need to use your rooting medium first.
Grab your rooting powder and pour some into a cup. Then you can dip your stem into it until the bottom of it is fully coated. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t dip your Arrowhead stem into the rooting powder container. Contamination is possible, which may harm any future propagating plants you dip inside.
After coating your stem, you can place it into the hole you created in your soil. Make sure it’s far enough into the soil that it can stand up on its own. You can then gently fill in the extra space around your stem with soil. Don’t pack the soil too tightly, as this can inhibit proper growth. And be sure to water your stems with a little more water so the soil is moist to the touch.
Propagating Arrowhead plants in water is a little bit easier. All you need to do is place your stemmed section into a jar with room-temperature water. However, since you can’t use a rooting powder, it can take longer for these stems to grow roots.
3. Care for the Stemmed Section Until the Roots Grow
Arrowhead plants need humidity and indirect sunlight to grow properly. Their origin area rarely gets below 64.4ºF and gets a minimum rainfall of 2.4 inches each month. So, warmth and moisture are essential.
Watering Requirements
Due to the Arrowhead plant’s need for warm, humid conditions, it can only stay indoors. North America doesn’t have a steady tropical climate all year long. Even slight weather changes can harm your plant. Your home usually has enough humidity in it for these plants to thrive. But, if you feel concerned, a small greenhouse can help keep moisture contained.
Watering requirements are rather easy to keep up with when propagating Arrowhead plants. They only need water about once a week. But the soil should always be moist. So, if you notice the soil drying up before your weekly watering, some extra water is a good idea.
You don’t need to do weekly waterings if you use water propagation. Instead, you’ll need to keep an eye on the water inside the jar to make sure it doesn’t get murky. If you do notice a funky look, it’s time to dump the water out and provide new, clean water. You’ll probably only need to do water changes every two weeks.
Sunlight Requirements
Arrowhead plants will need bright, indirect sunlight when they’re growing. Don’t put them on windowsills or under skylights. Too much sun can harm your newly-propagated plants and lead to wilting and dying. As long as the sun isn’t directly shining on them, your plants should be okay.
When to Expect Growth
With continual indirect sunlight and weekly waterings, you should notice root growth in as little as two weeks. New leaves should appear after another 2-4 weeks.
4. Transplant Your Newly-Propagated Arrowhead Plants
Your planted Arrowhead stems don’t need repotting immediately after displaying growth. They can actually stay in their original propagation pots until they outgrow them. But it’s a good idea to transplant the growing stems if you use water propagation. They’ll need more room to spread out and produce vines. Simply move your rooted stems into soil-filled pots when it’s time for transplantation.
Arrowhead plants don’t like to feel rootbound. So you’ll most likely need to re-pot them every 1-2 years. You’ll know when they need repotting if the roots are stretching outside the pots or if growth is slowing down.
5. Continue Caring for Your Newly-Propagated Arrowhead Plants
After repotting your propagated Arrowhead plants, all that’s left is maintenance. Continue keeping your plants in bright, indirect sunlight and water them once a week. You can keep these gorgeous plants throughout your home for an indoor tropical oasis. Or you can share their beauty with family, friends, and neighbors. They can make excellent low-maintenance gifts!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best season to start propagating Arrowhead plants?
You can propagate Arrowhead plants any time of year since they are houseplants. But propagating them in the spring and summer can provide increased growth. The warmer months are usually their growing season. So, they’ll usually be at their fastest and healthiest during this time.
Can Arrowhead plants survive in the winter?
Arrowhead plants can only survive North American winters when they are indoors. The weather fluctuations can seriously harm and even kill these plants. These tropical plants cannot survive temperatures under 50ºF. That’s why they should be indoors all year to prevent any issues.
This is another reason you should keep these plants away from windows. The winter drafts alone can damage the plant.
Where is the best place to put Arrowhead plants?
The best place to put your propagated Arrowhead plants is a minimum of six feet away from the nearest window. This position will provide adequate bright and indirect light. Kitchens and living rooms are typically the best places for this kind of light. These rooms usually have the most natural light.
Wrapping Up Propagating Arrowhead Plants
Caring for and propagating Arrowhead plants is an easy and enjoyable process. Their low-maintenance needs make them great starter plants for beginner propagators. All it takes is about five steps, and you’ll be an Arrowhead propagating expert in no time!
Are you looking for more tropical plant propagation options? Check out Propagating Dracaena to add to your indoor tropical oasis!
- About the Author
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Ashley Masiello is a home gardener, outdoor lover, video editor, artist, general freelance writer, and a writer for Minnetonka Orchards. She has a bachelor’s degree in film/media and two minors in writing and art.
She loves to tend to her plants, participate in all kinds of outdoor projects, and looks forward to planting a beautiful garden every spring.
Ashley loves sharing her knowledge about planting and fun outdoor DIY projects!
Ashley can be reached at ashleymasiello821@gmail.com.